Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 3 (NationPress) The tranquility of Sabarimala, which stands as one of India’s most esteemed pilgrimage destinations, has been disrupted by claims regarding the temple's gold-plating activities, top leaders from the Congress party stated on Friday.

The Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan and his predecessor Ramesh Chennithala voiced their discontent over the controversy. Chennithala demanded a comprehensive investigation under the supervision of the High Court, labeling these occurrences as a clear violation of temple regulations and the trust of its devotees.

Satheesan posed numerous inquiries concerning the alleged missing gold.

"The firm in charge reported that only copper sheets were sent to Chennai, indicating that the gold was likely taken locally. The High Court noted a 40-day delay prior to the sheets arriving in Chennai - where was the gold during this time?" he questioned.

He also scrutinized the involvement of sponsor Unnikrishnan Potti and those who sanctioned the action, emphasizing that no valuable items should leave Sabarimala without official permission.

Chennithala characterized the situation as a blatant violation of the Devaswom manual, which expressly prohibits the removal of gold or other precious items from the temple.

“All repairs must be conducted within the temple boundaries, requiring consent from the Tantri and the Devaswom Commissioner. These protocols were not adhered to. 42 kg of gold sheets were dispatched to Chennai, yet only 38 kg returned," he asserted, underlining the seriousness of this oversight.

Both leaders expressed concern regarding the implications for devotees. Chennithala alleged that a clandestine group may have even influenced notable figures, including actor Jayaram, whose presence at a ceremony was allegedly exploited to obscure financial wrongdoing.

Satheesan emphasized the necessity for the Ayyappa idol and all temple treasures to receive heightened protection while the inquiry is ongoing.

They called for accountability from ministers, board presidents, and officials involved since 2019, demanding prompt and transparent measures to restore public trust.

With millions of devotees visiting Sabarimala each year, any mismanagement of offerings, gold, or temple assets threatens to undermine faith in one of the nation's most sacred locations.

As the Kerala High Court gears up to oversee the investigation, the saga surrounding the missing gold, shadowy intermediaries, and purported cover-ups continues to draw public interest, raising urgent questions about governance, devotion, and accountability at Sabarimala.